Window structure



April 24, 1951 e. w. RISIEN WINDOW STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. BB0. W. 1215mm W Filed May 27, 1946 G. W. RISIEN April 24, 1951 WINDOW STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 27, 1946 INVENTOR.

Patented Apr. 24, 1951 UNITED STATES E TENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to windows and particularly to window structures having multiple window panels shiftable relative to the window frame.

Most residential window structures are constructed with grooves disposed in the jamb in the direction of window adjustment for guiding the sliding movements thereof between the open and closed position. Not infrequently movement of the window pane is rendered difficult, and in some cases impossible, because of binding, impairment to the counterbalancing forces or the infiltration of dirt particles or paint binders between the window frame and the movable panel. In such instances it may be necessary completely to disengage the various window parts for purposes of freeing the window panel for subsequent adjustment. Casement windows are also subject to limitations with reference to their opening and closing movements in view of the possible breakage of various co-acting parts or distortions thereof to effect window operation.

Irrespective of the selection of window structure types, the Window panels disposed in the window opening obstruct part of the view in every position of adjustment, and when in the open position enables rain or the like to enter the room. Since the window glass is not readily removable from the window opening, cleaning thereof, especially on the outer exposed surfaces, is rendered difficult.

With the above in view, it is an object of this invention to produce a new and improved window structure having adjustable window panels and enabling the window panels to be readily removed from the window opening for storage, repair or cleaning purposes or for imparting full view through the window opening without the necessity of removing any other part of the window structure.

Another object is a window structure having multiple interchangeable window panels adjustable between the open and closed positions in a manner militating against binding, sealing or other causes rendering window movement more difficult and while in an intermediate open position operates as a louver preventing the ingress of rain particles without impairing the free circulation of the air.

A further object is to produce a window structure which is readily constructed from a few simple parts enabling the installation and use in most residential buildings at a minimum of effort and cost.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear and for purposes of illustration but not of limitation, an embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a perspective elevational view of the window structure comprising this invention, showing the wall portion underv the window opening sectioned for window panel storage purposes.

Figure 2 is a sectional elevational view through a central portion of the window structure.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view illustrating the multiple lights of a window structure in various positions of adjustment.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a window panel in the closed position.

Figure 5 illustrates the method for offsetting a Window panel to one of its open positions.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the window panel in the process of being disengaged from the window frame.

Figure '7 is a fragmentary front elevational View of one lower corner of the window panel.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the lower corner of a window frame showing the notched end for mounting purposes, and

Figure 9 is an enlarged perspective View of the spring member for holding the window panel in the closed position.

Briefly, this invention relates to multiple and several window panels adapted to be held in the closed position by sockets and tensioning means associated with the frame urging each window panel toward engagement with the window frame and an overlapping portion of the next adjacent window panel. For other positions of adjustment, the window panels are adapted to be disengaged from the tensioning means enabling the panels to rest between the sockets and projections on related portions of the window frame. Each window panel is removable from engagement with the window frame and the tensioning means enabling disposition thereof in a storage chamber, permitting .full view and free circulation through the window opening. On disengagement each window panel is readily cleaned, repaired or replaced in .a convenient manner, and since each window panel is adapted to be identical with all others, it is possible to interchange or to replace ones that might be damaged or broken in any part of the residence.

Referring now to the drawings, I indicates the outside wall of the building beneath the window opening W and l l, the inside wall. Between these wall partitions is a window panel receiving compartment [2, having a pair of racks [3 disposed against the lower lateral end walls for receiving and storing the individual window panels in a vertical position. The entrance to the storage compartment is normally closed by a hinged shelf [4, which comprises a part of the window sill l5. Other means may equally be provided for closing the entrance, such for example, as a sliding drawer operatively associated with grooves in the window sill.

Illustration and description is made to a window structure arranged to receive three superposed window panels when in a closed position. It is to be understood that more or less superposed panels may be combined to comprise a window structure substantially unlimited in height. The width, however, is dependent on the strength of the window pane] so as to resist the strain and forces of winds and the like. For reinforcement purposes, each window pane It made of glass, plastics or the like, is encased in a wooden or metallic frame I; and together comprise the window panel as used in this description.

For receiving the window panel, each window frame jamb I8 is provided with projecting beads l9 havin superposed upright sections 20, 29' and 20'', transversely offset a distance equal to the width of the window panel so that each panel, when in the closed position, lies in its own adjacent plane. Since the length of each upright section, other than the uppermost, is less than the length of the window panel, the upper portion of each panel abuts the lower edge portion of the next superposed panel when in the closed position. For example, panel 2! is adapted to be positioned over panel 22 with the lower edge portion of the latter overlapping and abutting the upper edge portion of the former. Similarly, panel 22 is disposed over and behind panel 23 in overlapping relationship.

Downwardly and outwardly inclined notches 2t in the upper edge portion of each upright section 20 and 29 or sill l that provides a rest for the superposed window panel, cooperates with an upwardly and forwardly inclined notch 24 in the lower lateral end portion of each window panel. It is to be understood that the notches may be replaced by curvilinear grooves and shoulders respectively, enabling nesting in the mounted position. Notches 25 do not extend to the opposite edge of the window panel, thus assuring firm abutment in the cooperative'position. Thus, each window panel is firmly seated in its support and is made to bear against the appropriate upright section by means of curvilinear leaf springs 26 secured to the side jambs, and adapted to engage an upper portion of the panel when in the closed position.

Screws 21, insertable through a sleeve 28 integral with the upper end portion of each spring, mount the springs to the jambs E8 in a manner disposing the bowed curvilinear portion 26' adjacent the window panel. The lower end portion of each spring is provided with a vertically disposed lip 30 having an inwardly extending integral flange 3| adapted slidingly to engage a vertically disposed slot 32 in the side jamb, enabling the spring member to be flexed transversely of the window opening. Each of the springs is spaced from its respective bead section 2t, 20 and 20" by a distance somewhat less than the 4 window of the window frame, so that the spring is flexed when the panel is in the closed position, thereby to urge each panel outwardly against its adjacent upright section.

It is understood that the lower lateral end portions only of each window panel are notched in a manner to cooperate with the sloping socket, the intermediate lower edge portion 35 being slightly downwardly inclined so as to conduct fluids running down the face of the window away from the window structure and when disposed in the lowermost position, to cooperate with the sill [5, also downwardly inclined, for purposes of militating against the flow of rain water or the like into the dwelling. Drip strips 33 and 34 on the head member 33a and the sill I5 respectively, deflect collected fluids, such as rain water or the like, away from the window or dwelling structure.

Each window panel is provided with one or more spaced knobs 36 in the upper portion thereof, facilitating the handling of the window panel for removal or adjustment purposes, as hereinafter described. It is manifest that other means may be provided enabling ready handling of each window panel. It is also expedient to provide handles 31 with each panel to facilitate lateral movements and carriage of the panel.

When it is desired to dispose a window panel in one of the open angular positions of adjustment, it is expedient, for example, first to lift the window panel 22 upwardly until its lower edge portion clears the enclosing socket and the upper edge portion of the adjacent lower panel 2i. The lower portion of the panel 22 may then be rocked outwardly so as to clear the intervening structure, enablin the window panel subsequently to be lowered until the panel becomes disengaged from the corresponding leaf spring, a illustrated in Figure 6.

Subsequently, the removed panel 22 may selectively be slid over stops 38 and 39 extending laterally from inner portions of the window frame jamb, and then lowered in a manner to rest the lower lateral edge portion on the freed socket, thus manually to dispose the window in the open position.

Window panels in various positions of adjustment are illustrated in Figure 3. Itis manifest that further adjustments may be efiected upon provision of additional stops on the window frame.

When it is desired to obtain full view through the window opening W, the panels are removed in the manner described, lowered into the compartment, and positioned in the corresponding rack. In this manner, each of the window panels may be removed, providing full view and free air circulation through the window opening. Removal of the window panels may be effected for other purposes, such, for example, as cleaning, repair and replacement, thereby simplifying these operations in relation to the manner heretofore used in other window structures.

An important feature of this invention i directed to the similarity between window panel structures and positioning means enabling one panel readily to be substituted for others, and in such instances when the window openings throughout the building are dimensioned somewhat alike, it is possible to interchange window panels so that a reserve panel might be maintained for replacements of broken windows without loss of time, effort or expense.

It is also manifest, that in the angular positions of adjustment, the window panels operate as loumounting multiple window panels in a manner to resist the outdoor elements and at the same time enabling disengagement of one or more of the window panels with a minimum of eiiort for subsequent adjustment to one of several intermediate open positions or for complete removal and storage in a compartment provided below the window opening. The simplicity of construction, operation and the relatively few parts required enables the fabrication of structures of the type described at a minimum of cost so that installation in pres--' ent window openings or in new construction may be readily effected. It is to be understood that other changes in construction, arrangement and operation may be efiected without departing from the spirit of the invention, especially as defined in the appended claim.

What I claim is:

In a window structure, a frame providing a window opening having laterally spaced side walls, a top Wall and a bottom wall, a plurality of window panels arranged in superposed relation for closing the window opening, a pair of supports for each window panel in said side walls, each support having a downwardly and outwardly inclined notch, a downwardly and outwardly inclined corner portion for each window panel fitting said notches respectively for enabling each window panel to be disposed in upright position and also enabling each window panel to rock from such upright position to an inclined position, stops on the frame side walls against which said panels rest when in inclined position, a bowed spring member for each side of each window panel for holding same in an upright position, a pivotal mounting for one end of each spring member connected to said frame side walls, the frame having slots adjacent said spring members respectively, and a flange on the opposite end of each spring member engageable in an adjacent slot thereby to anchor each bowed spring member releasably in window panel engaging position.

GEORGE W. RISIEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 129,435 Stratton July 16, 1872 432,371 Clapp July 15, 1890 647,312 Meade Apr. 10, 1900 671,852 Brill Apr. 9, 1901 698,259 Covert Apr. 22, 1902 883,780 Bucknam Apr. 7, 1908 1,783,483 Richter Dec. 2, 1930 

